UNC vs. Notre Dame: Scouting the Irish

John Mooney has been a problem for the Tar Heels lately.

Brant Wilkerson-New | Nov 6, 2019

Bob Donnan | USA TODAY Sports

Aside from North Carolina's 23 turnovers on Friday night in the exhibition victory over Winston-Salem State, one thing seemed to draw the ire of Roy Williams more than anything.

"They seem to have more interest, better ability to drive the ball to the basket and kick than we did to stop them," Williams said. "We know Notre Dame is going to shoot a ton of threes and much more skilled — blessed is a better way to put it — blessed athletes than what Winston-Salem did, but I think we gained a great deal more from it if we would have if we had just been practicing."

Robert Colon of WSSU is a fantastic point guard, but if a Division II opponent is consistently breaking down your defense and hitting open shooters on the wings, it's not a great sign.

Afterward, Williams said he was mad about his defense and didn't want to get even madder before watching the tape.

The verdict on Monday after the tape?

"Made it worse … we’ve been working so hard defensively," he said. "I went back and checked the practice plans from the last three years and there are certain things defensively we worked on this year than all three of those years put together."

The Rams didn't capitalize on those attempts, making just 8 of 30 from 3-point range, but a similar effort against the Irish on Wednesday would be disastrous.

Traditionally, Notre Dame has been one of the nation's better shooting teams, but last year was a bit of an anomaly, as it ranked 304th at 31 percent.

Coach Mike Brey believes that will change this season, and the Irish won't be afraid to put it up with even the slightest window.

Brey builds his teams with multiple shooters to space the floor and multiple ways to get the ball there.

"Michael’s style, they have great spacing, they want those guys that make shots to get more shots than those guys that don’t make as many," Williams said. "Have more than one ballhandler so you can’t take one guy away. He’s really a good coach."

These attempts all came last season against a Carolina defense that finished the season No. 15 in efficiency according to KenPom.com, led by one of the ACC's best perimeter defenders in Kenny Williams.

Big man John Mooney has played his best basketball n Chapel Hill in recent years, going for 16 points and 19 rebounds in last season's trip. In 2018, Mooney hit six 3-pointers on his way to 18 points.

"He’s a really good player, really talented scorer," Carolina forward Garrison Brooks said. "He’s going to be an All-ACC guy this year; it’s one of those things that happens night-in, night-out in the ACC."

Brooks was one of two defenders, along with Luke Maye, who attempted to slow down Mooney last season.

Neither had much of an answer thanks to Mooney's unique mix of size and strength added to an excellent motor.

Williams has plenty of respect for the third-team All-ACC selection from last season.

Because of Notre Dame's ability and willingness to shoot, there's no sagging on screens on the perimeter. Brooks lost sight of Mooney for just a second here, and Mooney has the IQ and quickness to get into space.

Defenders can't back off Mooney, and he's got the athleticism to get to the bucket, plus the skills to finish.

Luke Maye wasn't an elite defender, but he was strong and played with great effort. It wasn't good enough here, as Mooney got position, beat him to a spot then overpowered him.

Below, Mooney simply makes a hustle play. Guys as talented as Mooney don't need help scoring this easily.

Mooney will make for a tough matchup for Carolina. It's possible the Tar Heels throw Armando Bacot at him briefly, but his inexperience would be a concern against a crafty veteran. Justin Pierce is savvy and has the athleticism to keep up, but at 6-6, the 6-9, 245-pound Mooney could have his way in the post.

That leaves the challenge almost completely up to the best defender on Carolina's roster in Brooks.

Sit back and enjoy what should be a great individual battle.

Published Nov 6, 2019

BRANT WILKERSON-NEW